On Oct. 24, United’s Finance Chief, Jake Brace, had said the carrier hoped to have a contract signed with Mesa “as soon as possible…in days not weeks!”

Thirteen days after the comment, there’s still no deal. The outcome of a Mesa/UAL deal is Mesa’s Ace-in the-hole card. What would the effect be on ACAI share prices if Mesa/UAL were to announce an IAD deal? vs. What will be the effect on ACAI shares when ACA/Independence makes the new brand ‘grand rollout and aircraft order’? If you were Mesa/UAL would you want to be preemptive by having the first word (stealing ACA’s thunder so to speak) or would it be beneficial to minimize (throw water on) ACA’s media honeymoon. There must be some strategy as to who makes the first move.

The one with the highest stock price wins!

.:Stand-by for the first move:.

Fearless leader has mentioned that he believed that big brother was playing some role behind the scenes. UAL quickly denied any such thing. One day later, UAL announces that it wishes to fast track a contract commitment with the black hats. Such a move would bouy their stock value, essentially helping to lower the cost of acquistion. Greasing the skids for Mesa. Coincidence?

Atlantic Coast has turned the other cheek so to speak and officially rejected the bid from Mesa. Humorous that Atlantic Coast minimizes the offer by calling it: “Mesa’s expression of interest”. The gloves may yet come off as said takeover attempt now becomes hostile. ACA will bash the Mesa (flawed) business plan while dragging Mesa business partners (United and USairways) through the mud by association. Big Guns, Morgan Stanley & Co. acting as financial advisor and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP acting as legal counsel have been hired to watch the ACA flank.